It’s hard not to be captivated by bitcoin.
So many things about the digital currency are novel and the technology of the block chain is so complex that many who become acquainted with bitcoin eventually end up enthralled.
Add in the element of drama that seems to follow bitcoin like a shadow – bankrupt exchanges, arrests, regulatory debate and a polarizing reputation – and the story of this once-esoteric invention becomes even more fascinating.
We bitcoiners lead a peculiar lifestyle. As early adopters of an unprecedented technology, we’re arguably a part of history as we help shape this blossoming industry. We learn new things every day and are fueled by the seemingly endless opportunities this technology has created for innovators.
On the other hand, living with a bitcoin obsession is often an uphill battle. We’re forced to deal with price volatility, skeptical friends and family, regulatory uncertainty and all the other speed bumps that are par for the course for any new technology.
Despite the adversity, the bitcoin community – like the technology – has been impressively resilient. We all have an idiosyncratic passion for bitcoin, and thus we may have more in common than you’d expect.
Here are 24 signs you’re obsessed with bitcoin:
1. You check the price within five minutes of waking up
shutterstock.com2. Your friends have been forced to sit through your spiels about all the joys of the digital currency
giphy.com3. You keep a hawk-like eye out for ‘bitcoin accepted here’ signs
4. You’ve rehearsed your speech in defense of bitcoin, just in case you ever run into any skeptics
shutterstock.com5. You feel a sense of pride whenever you convince someone to embrace digital currencies
giphy.com6. You daydream about what life will be like once you can use bitcoin to buy everything you need
shutterstock.com7. You double (okay, triple) check all of your wallets on a more-than-consistent basis… just to be sure
shutterstock.com8. You’re not fazed by price swings anymore, and ‘bad news’ no longer sets you off in an immediate panic
giphy.com9. The words ‘Mt Gox’ make you physically cringe
giphy.com10. /r/bitcoin and bitcointalk.org have become your social networks of choice
reddit.com11. Whenever bitcoin is brought up, your friends roll their eyes and brace themselves for you to jump into the conversation
giphy.com12. You go out of your way to shop at Overstock, Newegg, Expedia etc to support their bitcoin business
newegg.com13. You thoroughly research every new startup to see if they add enough value to earn your support
giphy.com14. You’ve been to at least one bitcoin conference
15. You scoff at the idea of using Western Union to send money abroad
giphy.com16. You’ll interrupt someone else’s conversation to correct them if you hear anything inaccurate being said about bitcoin
giphy.com17. You set aside money every paycheck to buy more bitcoin
shutterstock.com18. You’ve bought something you didn’t need simply because you could purchase it with bitcoin
giphy.com19. You tried out several different wallets/storage methods before settling on your preferred option
giphy.com20. You’ve done the math to see how economically feasible it would be to set up your own mining rig
shutterstock.com21. You felt personally attacked by Leah McGrath Goodman’s exposé on Dorian Nakamoto
newsweek.com22. You’ve tweeted one of your favorite companies to request that it accept bitcoin
The @ALSassociation should accept bitcoin donations in memory of Hal Finney, a pioneer affected by the disease cc: @coinbase @bitpay
— Tom Sharkey (@tom_sharkey) August 30, 2014
23. You’ve casually tried to inquire with your employer about getting paid in bitcoin
giphy.com24. You truly believe this technology will change the world
perfecthue.comThinking image via Shutterstock
bitcoin obsession
Original author: Tom Sharkey